SALEM, Ore. - The Oregon State Fire Marshal mobilized resources to the Service Fire in Wheeler County overnight as the fire, pushed by gusty winds and critical fire conditions, rapidly grew Monday. The lightning-sparked fire is estimated to be 15,000 acres as of Monday night. The Wheeler County Sheriff has issued levels 1, 2, and 3 evacuation notices. You can find the latest on evacuations here.
Over the weekend, two task forces assigned to the Shoe Fly Fire were reassigned to the Service Fire through Immediate Response. Two additional task forces from Marion and Clatsop counties arrived Monday night, bringing the total to four task forces.
The OSFM will coordinate structural protection resources with the Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 2, which is managing the Service Fire.
“We are anticipating cooler weather over the next week and that should decrease fire behavior. The OSFM continues to use every tool at our disposal to protect people, property, and critical infrastructure from wildfire,” Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. “This has been a challenging summer for our hardworking firefighters, and we encourage everyone to remain vigilant.”
A community meeting for the Service Fire is planned for Wednesday, September 11 at the Fossil Elementary School Gymnasium at 6:30 p.m. Please use the west entrance.
This is the 17th time the Emergency Conflagration Act was invoked this year.
About the Emergency Conflagration Act
The Emergency Conflagration Act is invoked by Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, allowing the state fire marshal to mobilize state resources to wildfires to protect life and property.
The conflagration act is invoked following ORS 476.510-476.610 when Governor Kotek determines threats to life, safety, and property exist because of the fire, and the threats exceed the capabilities of local firefighting personnel and equipment.
SALEM, Ore. - The Oregon State Fire Marshal is mobilizing its Blue Incident Management Team and several task forces to the Rail Ridge Fire in Grant and Crook counties and the Shoe Fly Fire in Wheeler County. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek invoked the conflagration act for both fires Friday.
The Rail Ridge Fire is estimated at 107,371 acres and three percent contained as of Friday morning. The lightning-sparked fire was detected on September 4 and grew rapidly, pushed by extremely hot, dry, and windy conditions over the last few days.
The OSFM Blue Team will be in unified command with California Team 10, a complex incident management team, which took command of the Rail Ridge Fire Friday morning. Earlier this week, the OSFM mobilized two task forces from Central Oregon and Marion County through Immediate Response. These task forces will be joined by three others later this evening.
“The conditions we are seeing on the ground are very dynamic with several fires burning in the region and a cold front is expected to pass through. There’s no real relief in the forecast over the weekend and into early next week,” Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. “The Oregon fire service has been extremely busy over the last few months, and I cannot thank them enough for being ready to respond to help their fellow Oregonians when they need it.”
The Shoe Fly Fire is estimated to be 24,188 acres and six percent contained. It was reported on September 2. The OSFM mobilized two task forces from Clackamas and Multnomah counties through Immediate Response earlier this week. The OSFM Blue Team will work with the Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 1, which is assigned to the Shoe Fly Fire to provide structural protection support.
These conflagrations mark the 15th and 16th invoked this summer. With extreme heat expected across the state into the weekend, the Oregon State Fire Marshal reminds all Oregonians and visitors to pay close attention to the conditions and take the necessary steps to avoid sparking a wildfire.
About the Emergency Conflagration Act
The Emergency Conflagration Act is invoked by Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, allowing the state fire marshal to mobilize state resources to wildfires to protect life and property.
The conflagration act is invoked following ORS 476.510-476.610 when Governor Kotek determines threats to life, safety, and property exist because of the fire, and the threats exceed the capabilities of local firefighting personnel and equipment.
***This is an update to reflect the Emergency Conflagration Act was invoked on Sunday evening, not Saturday.
SALEM, Ore. – On Sunday night, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act for the Copperfield Fire east of Chiloquin off Sprague River Road in Klamath County. As of 8:00 Saturday night, the fire was estimated between 1,500 to 2,000 acres. Gusty winds near 40 miles per hour pushed the fire to rapidly grow.
The Klamath County Sheriff’s Office has levels 2 and 3 evacuation notices in place. Those near the fire should follow the sheriff’s office for any changes to evacuation levels.
Southern Oregon is under a Red Flag Warning through tomorrow evening.
“The weather drove this fire, and Oregon will continue to face challenging weather conditions over the next three weeks. Fire season isn’t over yet and I encourage everyone to stay vigilant,” Chief Deputy Travis Medema said. “I cannot thank our incident management teams and task forces headed to this fire enough. They have had a busy season and responded no matter the time, no matter the situation.”
The OSFM Red Incident Management Team and eight task forces are being mobilized to the fire. Two task forces from Lane County and Central Oregon are part of the response and were sent through Immediate Response earlier Sunday evening.
The OSFM Red Incident Management Team will be briefed Monday at 10 a.m. and will be in unified command with the Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 3.
For the latest on the fire, please follow the South-Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership.